Does God Hate Us? - Part 2

So does God hate us?  This is a provoking question that many Christians, non-Christians, agnostics, even atheists will impulsively and thoughtlessly respond with "of course not. God is Love."  However true that is, many people - self-professed Christians, even - continue to struggle with genuinely experiencing the "Love of God."  Some are at a point where they believe they are beyond help, that somehow God isn't involved or doesn't care enough.  In all seriousness, however, there are actions we take where the Love of God cannot be found.  In His Word to us, God has repeatedly described people and behaviors that are abhorrent to Him.  This article addresses only a few of the things God does hate - the second post examining Proverbs 6.  If you have not read Part 1, we encourage you; although it is not required for understanding this article.

There are six things the LORD hates,
   seven that are detestable to him:
   (1) haughty eyes,
      (2) a lying tongue,
      (3) hands that shed innocent blood,
  (4) a heart that devises wicked schemes,
(5) feet that are quick to rush into evil,
  (6) a false witness who pours out lies
(7) and a person who stirs up conflict in the community. 

- Proverbs 6:16-19

 Continuing from Part 1, what God hates:

"A heart that devises wicked schemes" - God hates not just wickedness (sin), but hates the very heart that has become so depraved and so corrupt that everything that comes from it is riddled with sin. We are warned that we get this way from denial - failing to acknowledge that evil is just plain evil.  So we persist in behaving in ways that are contrary to God's purpose for our lives.  We condition our hearts so we become enslaved by our sins, addicted; and will lie awake at night plotting, scheming how to continue in our sins the next day.  God hates this. 

Sin speaks to the wicked deep in his heart. There is no fear or dread of God before his eyes.  For he flatters and deceives himself in his own eyes that his sinful nature will not be found out and be hated.  The words of his mouth are wrong and deceitful; he has ceased to be wise and to do good.  He plans wrongdoing on his bed; he sets himself in a way that is not good; he does not reject or despise evil. -- Psalm 36:1-4

God is Love.  He loves us so much that He prepared us a manual, His Word - to better understand Him, providing sketches of His plans for our lives.  They are guidelines for us - not just good advise or common sense.  These are expectations, instructions, and warnings, about what we must do to experience Gods Love.  His teaching promises us a healthy and abundant life for ourselves, our families, and our community - even the atheist cannot debate that God's guidelines are bad for us.

But the word is very near you, in your mouth and in your mind and in your heart, so that you can do it.  See, I have set before you this day life and good, and death and evil.  If you obey . . . , then you shall live and multiply, and the Lord your God will bless you.  But if your heart turn away and you will not hear, and are drawn away . . . , I declare to you today that you shall surely perish, and you shall not live long . . .
I call heaven and earth to witness this day against you that I have set before you life and death, the blessings and the curses; therefore choose life, that you and your descendants may live and love the Lord your God, obey His voice, and cling to Him.  For He is your life. -- Deuteronomy 30  

"Feet that are quick to rush into evil"- This is just plain foolishness, especially when we know the difference between good and evil.  It's one thing to have a bad heart, but then another to spend the time and energy to carry out wicked schemes - whether by our own initiation or as an accomplice.  How quickly we once ran to those parties - smoking that dope, drunken, hitting that trim, and scamming others money.  It was so easy to join in with friends when trespassing and thieving, as if there were no need to think twice.  We are quick to beat down our challengers - physically and verbally - as if that were the best way to survive and maintain control.  Yes none of this was healthy, and we live with the physical, emotional, and spiritual curses as a consequence.  How easy to be sold out to Satan's lie that everything will will be alright in the end, "surely you will NOT die."  Many thousands of years later, we are faced with this blatant realization - we will all die !!!!  God even hates that, for He IS long-suffering for us, not willing that any should perish.

The blessing of the LORD brings wealth, without painful toil for it.  A fool finds pleasure in wicked schemes, but a person of understanding delights in wisdom.  Proverbs 10:22-24

 WOE TO those who devise iniquity and work out evil upon their beds! When the morning is light, they perform and practice it because it is in their power. . . .
Therefore thus says the Lord: Behold, against this family I am planning a disaster from which you cannot remove your necks, nor will you be able to walk erect; for it will be an evil time. -- Micah 2

For the fool speaks folly and his mind plans iniquity: practicing profane ungodliness and speaking error concerning the Lord, . . . The instruments and methods of the fraudulent and greedy are evil; he devises wicked devices to ruin the poor and the lowly with lying words, even when the plea of the needy is just and right.
But the noble, openhearted, and generous man devises noble things; and he stands for what is noble, openhearted, and generous. -- Isaiah 32:6-8

 The LORD examines the righteous, but the wicked, those who love violence, he hates with a passion. -- Psalm 11:5

Do not be so deceived and misled! Evil companionships corrupt and deprave good manners and morals and character.  Awake from your drunken stupor and return to sober sense and your right minds, and sin no more. For some of you have not the knowledge of God [you are utterly and willfully and disgracefully ignorant, and continue to be so, lacking the sense of God's presence and all true knowledge of Him]. I say this to your shame. -- 1 Corinthians 15:33-34

To be continued, Part 3 . . .

5. AGS- Miracle 1 by DaSouth.com